A three-day public forum is set to be held at Nairobi’s Uhuru Park next week to discuss issues affecting Kenyans.

Dubbed the People Dialogue Festival (PDF), the event themed “Building a Collaborative Democracy for Kenya’s Sustainable Future” will run from March 5-8.

This will be the seventh edition.

Organisers of PDF, a flagship initiative of the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD-Kenya), termed the event as an essential platform for hosting an extensive dialogue, particularly in the wake of high-octane political dynamics that have intensified divisions and ignited public discourse on governance, accountability, and inclusivity.

“At a time when public trust in political systems is fragile, PDF stands out as a critical mechanism to bridge the gap between leaders and citizens, fostering national unity and promoting participatory democracy,” a pre-event document reads.

PDF organisers noted that Kenya’s political landscape has been characterised by tensions that have deepened societal divisions and threatened cohesion due to the ongoing political alignments.

The festival, they emphasised offers Kenyans a rare platform that ensures dialogue extends beyond political elites to include marginalised voices—persons with disabilities (PWDs), women, youth, minorities, grassroots organsations, and nontraditional actors like citizen movements.

“This inclusion is vital for rebuilding trust in Kenya’s political systems and ensuring that the voices shaping governance and development reflect the country’s diversity,” the organisers said.

People-centred conversation

Mediamax Network that publishes this paper, and runs a stable of TV and radio and TV stations will be a partner in driving the people-centred conversations.

According to the document, in a society increasingly skeptical of political processes, dialogue is more than a conversation—it is a lifeline for democratic engagement. PDF embodies this principle, creating a safe space for dialogue that is citizen-driven and responsive to Kenya’s developmental needs.

“Kenya’s history and ongoing challenges demand intentional efforts to foster reconciliation, collaboration, and trust among diverse actors. PDF provides an avenue for state and non-state actors, as well as ordinary citizens, to engage constructively, paving the way for solutions to governance and development challenges,” they added.

“By bridging societal divides, PDF contributes to sustainable peace and inclusive development, ensuring that Kenya builds on its hard-won gains in governance and national unity.”

The festival which was launched 2019 has recorded exponential growth in participation, from fewer than 1,000 attendees in its first edition to over 9,600 attendees in 2024.

Participants of past events include elected leaders, government officials, civil society organizations, private sector representatives, youth groups, women’s organizations, media, academia, trade unions, and even diplomatic missions.

“The increasing interest underscores the public’s demand for open, inclusive, and meaningful platforms to engage on critical societal issues,” the document said.

Inclusive government

Top on the agenda during next week’s forum will seek to promote inclusive governance by empowering at least 2,000 youth, women, and minority group representatives to participate in discussions on governance and socio-economic policies.

The organisers target a 25 per cent increase in participation from marginalized groups compared to the 2024 edition through partnerships with at least 30 state and non-state organizations and grassroots networks for outreach and mobilization.

Additionally, 20 thematic sessions on citizen rights, responsibilities, and issue-based politics, involving at least 200 participants per session will be conducted, providing an opportunity for about 30 organizations and grassroots networks to distribute informational materials on governance, accountability, and Kenya’s development goals.

Experts and advocates will lead the sessions and produce materials in accessible formats to build citizens’ capacity to hold institutions accountable.

Another agenda seeking to foster national reconciliation and unity will be discussed in five sessions targeting 2,000 participants, including political actors and citizens from diverse backgrounds.

PDF officials hope to partner with five peacebuilding organizations to facilitate the sessions which will address societal divisions and enhance trust in governance institutions.

In yet another session where governance reforms will take centre stage, PDF will facilitate the development of three actionable policy recommendations for governance reforms through collaboration between political parties, civil society, and private sector representatives.

Further, the forum will target to secure commitments from at least five key stakeholders to champion and implement the proposed reforms.

The festival will be organised into seven “villages,” each focused on a specific audience or theme, to ensure broad participation and engagement.